Deadline: 4-Jul-25
The Water Justice Fund, managed by Simavi in collaboration with partner organizations in Bangladesh, Kenya, and Nepal, has launched its Movement Building Grant Program, aiming to strengthen grassroots efforts on water justice, gender equality, and climate resilience.
This round is open to NGOs, networks, collectives, and individuals from the three target countries, offering a platform for both seasoned organizations and emerging leaders to take part in transformative local initiatives.
Individual grantees can receive a maximum of €5,000, while organizations, collectives and networks may receive up to €10,000 per year. The fund supports community-led work focused on water governance, women’s leadership, climate change adaptation, and equitable access to water and sanitation. Applicants are encouraged to propose ideas that promote systemic change, foster collaboration, and prioritize the voices and leadership of women and marginalized groups. Applications are being accepted until July 4, 2025.
This program is part of Simavi’s broader Water Justice Fund strategy, which supports community-driven approaches under three key pillars: locally-led adaptation, movement building, and learning and research. The fund was piloted in 2023, and since then, it has backed approximately 70 women-led initiatives that demonstrate innovation and inclusivity in tackling water insecurity and climate-related challenges.
The Movement Building Grant emphasizes the development of strong local coalitions and grassroots capacity to influence policies and practices that promote water justice.
The fund also promotes leadership development and amplifies the efforts of feminist movements by enabling participation in decision-making processes at sub-national and national levels.
The initiative values the integration of local knowledge and experience, and the application review process is designed to be inclusive, with peer review panels and advisory boards led by practitioners from the Global South. This ensures that funded projects are rooted in community realities and aligned with long-term impact goals.
Globally, nearly 2 billion people still lack access to safe drinking water, and water scarcity continues to impact women and girls the most. In many parts of the world, women bear the responsibility for water collection, while climate disruptions and infrastructure gaps exacerbate the situation. Yet, a very small percentage of climate funding is directed to local WASH initiatives or women-led organizations. This grant program helps bridge that gap by investing in frontline solutions where they are most needed and ensuring that those most affected by the water crisis are also empowered to lead responses.
Applicants eligible for this funding include individuals, registered non-profit organizations, community networks, and advocacy groups operating in Kenya, Bangladesh, or Nepal. There is no requirement for cost-sharing or previous funding experience, allowing smaller and underrepresented groups a fair opportunity to receive support. Projects may focus on a variety of themes, including civic engagement, gender equity in water governance, indigenous rights, local policy advocacy, and youth involvement in climate action.
The Water Justice Fund Movement Building Grant presents a unique opportunity for grassroots leaders to access financial and institutional support that strengthens their advocacy and community mobilization strategies. In doing so, it aims to reshape how climate finance is distributed—by centering local priorities and feminist leadership in the fight for water justice.
If your work aligns with these goals and is based in one of the eligible countries, this grant offers both resources and recognition to scale up your impact. It is a powerful step forward in addressing the global water crisis through inclusive, locally grounded, and equity-focused solutions.
For more information, visit Simavi.
